Traffic-signal



D. J. LINEHAN.

TRAFFlC SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1919.

Patented Apr. 27, 1920'.

INVENTOR. I v DANIEL JLmE HAN ATTORNEY.

7 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL J. LIN'EHAN, OF CHICOPEE, MASSACHUSETTS.

TRAFFIC-SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Apr. 27, 1920.

. Application filed Kay 15, 1919. Serial No. 297,375,.

lowing is a full clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in traffic signals for use atcrossings and turning points in streets and roadways and for the generalguidance and control of road traffic, and its leading object is toprovlde a self-righting traflic signal which can be electricallyilluminated at night and remain illuminated even if rocked on its baseby a passing Vehicle. i

Another object of the invention is to provide means for maintaining thesignal standard. in a normal vertical position and adapted to preventthe current ca'rr ing cable for feeding the electrical lamp rom beingstrained, when the standard is tilted by being struck by a passingvehicle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a housing for thelamp, which will not become wedged in a Vehicle striking or being struckby the same.

With the above and other objects in View the invention relates to newand useful combinations, constructions and arrangements of parts clearlydescribed in the following specification and fully illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view showing my improved traflic signalmounted in position in astreet pavement.

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view of the lamp housing taken on anenlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the lamp housing.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the base showing the tubular standard incross section.

Referring to the accompanying drawings 5 designates a metal shell orpipe which is vertically disposed in an opening 6 formed in the pavement7. On the head of the pipe or'shell 5a metal cap 8 is mounted, which issecured in place by set screws 9 extended through the flange 8 thereofagainstthe outer side of the shell or pipe 5 The top of the cap 8 isprovided with .an opening 8*.

On the cap 8 a metal base 10 is disposed, the under surface of which issemi-spherical so that it will have a rolling action on top of the cap8. The base 10 is formed with a centrally disposed upstanding socket 11inwhich the lower end of the metal pipe 12 'is threaded or otherwisesecured in place.

The, base 10 is preferably cast hollow and filled with concrete 10.

On the upper end of the pipe 12 apear shaped lamp housing 13 is mountedwhich consists of a lower section 14 and an upper section 15, the lowersection being tapered and the upper section being formed with a convexouter surface and a concave inner surface and constituting a detachablecap which is secured in place by means of the set screws 16 extendedinto the upper edge portion of the section 14.

The section 14 is formed with an integral shelf 17 on which the'lampsocket 18 is secured-and is also provided with apendant socket 19 whichreceives the uppe! end of the wire cable 20. The lower end of. the wirecable 20 is secured to the eye 21 of the weight 22 which is arranged inthe well formed by the vertically disposed pipe 5, said cable beingsecured in place by the clamp 23, which is provided with a lateral eye I24: through which the light current carrying cable 25 extends, the upperend of which is secured to the socket 18 so as to supply the lamp 26with the necessary current. The cable 25 is extended through openings inthe side of the pipe 5 and the pendant flange 8 into the conduit 27,which may lead to any distant point, as a central station.

The lamp house is formed with a plurality of openings 13 disposed inregistration with the lamp 26 so that the light rays may project throughthe lamp house, and said openings may be supplied with red glass orotherwise as may be desired, or the lamp be supplied with red glassitself.

The head of the section 15 is equipped with means for clamping the baseof a lantern thereto, which means consist of a pair of fixed jaws 29 anda movable jaw 30 rocking on its rounded or semi-spherical base 10. Thecable 20 is connected at its outer end to the lamp house and owing tothe pressure exerted by the weight 22 on said cable the upright will beautomatically returned to a vertlcal position and held in such position.Owing to the pendant loop formed in the cable 25 by reason of itsconnection with the eye 24 no strain will be placed upon the cable andthe light connection will not be broken by reason of the tilting of thestandard.

Having described my invention, I claim: I

1. A traffic signal consisting of a-base having a convexed lower facewhereby the base will have a rocking movement on the ground, a standardconnected at its lower end to the central part of the base, a visiblesignal on the upper end of the standard, a tubular member for insertionin the ground, a cap for said member having an opening therein andproviding a bearing for the base, a weight disposed in said tubularmember, a cable connected at its lower end to said weight and extendingthrough the standard and connected at its upper end to the upper end ofthe standard, and. means for illuminating the signal.

2. A traflic signal consisting of a base having a -convexed lower face,a tubular -member for insertion in the ground, a cap detachable on saidmember and providing, a bearing for said base, said base being pro videdwith a central opening and said cap having an opening re isterin atubular standard fixed at its ower end to said base and alined with saidopenings, a pear-shaped lamp house on the upper end of said standard, acable connected at its upper end to the upper end of-the standard andextending downwardly therethrough and into the tubular member, a weightconnected with the lower end of the cable, an eye located' above andconnected vwith the weight, and

a flexible element for conducting an illuminating medium to the lamphouse having a looped portion extending through said therewith,

eye and'extending through the openings and tubular standard into saidlamp house.

DANIEL J LINEHAN.

